White House denounces ‘act of hate’ in mosque shooting

The New Zealand gunman called Donald Trump a ‘symbol of renewed white identity’,

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Donald Trump has sent condolences to the victims of the New Zealand mosque massacre, and the White House issued a statement denouncing the “vicious act of hate”.

The gunman accused of being behind at least one of the mosque shootings left a rambling manifesto that mentioned the US president, calling him “a symbol of renewed white identity”, a connection the White House denounced as “outrageous”.

The reference nonetheless cast an uncomfortable spotlight on the way the president has been embraced by some on the far right.

The president tweeted that his “warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured”.

My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders went further in denouncing the gunman’s actions, with a statement that said: “The United States strongly condemns the attack in Christchurch. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand in solidarity with the people of New Zealand and their government against this vicious act of hate.”

The man accused of the shootings left behind a 74-page document that outlined his motivations. He is a 28-year-old Australian white nationalist who hates immigrants and who was set off by attacks in Europe that were perpetrated by Muslims. He embraced Nazi imagery, voiced support for fascism and, at one point, cheered on Mr Trump.

“Were/are you a supporter of Donald Trump?” was one of the questions the manifesto’s author posed to himself. His answer: “As a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose? Sure. As a policy maker and leader? Dear god no.”

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(PA Graphics)

After a 2017 clash between white nationalists and anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left one demonstrator dead, he said there were “very fine people on both sides” of the confrontation.

He did not immediately reject the support of David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard, during his presidential campaign.

His hardline immigration rhetoric and calls to return America to its traditional past have been embraced by many on the conservative fringes, including those who troll online with racist imagery, as well as white supremacists who have looked to engage in violence.

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The number of hate groups nationwide has risen significantly since he took office, according to the Southern Poverty Law Centre.

The White House quickly rejected any link between the shooting and Mr Trump.

“It’s outrageous to even make that connection between this deranged individual that committed this evil crime to the president who has repeatedly condemned bigotry, racism and made it very clear that this is a terrorist attack,” said Mercedes Schlapp, the White House’s director of strategic communication. “We are there to support and stand with the people of New Zealand.”